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Important Disclaimer

This blog is not a health diagnosis site nor is it designed to treat illnesses. The information posted here is simply for you, the reader to evaluated and learn from. Taking and using any of the information is purely up to the discretion of the reader. If you have serious health concerns, please consult with your primary health care giver

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Wow, Time Flies

Someone recently asked me about my blog to which I replied, "I haven't done anything with it for quite sometime."  That was an understatement!  It has been almost a year since I have written anything, imagine my surprise!  I will try to make an effort to be more up-to-date.

One thing that has been on my mind a lot is how effectively the human body is capable of healing its self, if given the opportunity and the right tools.  Wholesome foods, meaning foods in their entirety is a very important tool to use when trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  Nature is perfection, so a natural food product is created perfectly and design to perfectly feed your body, mind and spirit.

Take for instance the humble Dandelion.  This wonderful plant that has been relegated to the bottom of the food chain,  grows prolifically almost everywhere but who can remember anything about it?

The first recorded reference to dandelion use can be found in Chinese Medical Texts dating back to 600 BC where this wonderful food source was used to as the first "greens of spring" in salads and soups.

Dandelions contain a wide variety of acids, complex sugars and other nutrients which include Iron, Zinc, Boron, Calcium, Silicon, and especially Potassium.  Our humble dandelion also has concentrations of  vitamins A, B complex, C & D.  Extracts of dandelion have been shown to have antimicrobial and antibacterial effects with moderate anti=inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Even some recent test tube studies have shown a link of anti-tumor activity against liver, colon and melanoma cancer cell lines. Dandelion has long been respected as one of the best foods for building the blood and combating anemia.  Many cultures also you the juice of Dandelion root to treat diabetes.

The leaves of the Dandelion can be lightly steamed like spinach or endive, the roots can be dried and brewed into a coffee substitute or fermented into a beer, while the flowers are used to make wine.

The propagation of the Dandelion is not difficult, so it doesn't take much work to raise a healthy crop.  Leaves and flowers can be harvested as long as the plant is productive and then in the fall is when the roots should be harvested, as the plant is dying back.  The roots can be pressed for juice when fresh or dried for use in other preparations.

Remember that time can really fly by fast,  so even though the Dandelion is very prolific its growing season for leaves and blossoms can go by really quickly.